Ben Graham’s place in American football’s Super Bowl has given his former AFL teammates at Geelong a boost in what is generally the tough slog of pre-season.
The Cats had a team meeting scheduled at the time Graham and his Arizona Cardinals were playing the Philadelphia Eagles to secure the NFC place in the Super Bowl.
So the Cats, at the insistence of Graham’s mates Darren Milburn and Matthew Scarlett, had the meeting re-scheduled and watched the end of the game as a group.
The Cardinals’ 32-25 win means Graham will be the first Australian to play in the biggest day of the American sporting calendar, provided he can overcome a groin injury.
The Cats were naturally delighted for their former skipper, who played 219 games in 11 AFL seasons before punting on forging a career in the NFL, and who returns during his off-season to catch up with his former teammates.
“It’s pretty outstanding, isn’t it?” Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said.
“The more mature guys, the ones who played with Ben, are really excited for him.
“He’s hung in there all season, and we’re just so happy for him.”
Before the match Geelong sent a message of good luck to Graham and the club fired off a congratulatory note on Monday.
The Cats now hope the Cardinals can produce one more win, against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl at Tampa Bay on February 1.
While Graham, his family and friends celebrated, the result left another AFL player, former Collingwood and North Melbourne forward Saverio Rocca, devastated.
Rocca’s Eagles got their noses in front in the second half, but were overrun.
Sav’s brother, Magpies forward Anthony – who also harbours a dream to try out in the NFL – also juggled his training commitments with watching events across the Pacific.
“They did pretty well getting back and in the end they just couldn’t get over the line,” Anthony told Network Ten.
“He was very upset, but he’s had a great year.
“He’s a real inspiration to myself and to other aspiring Australian punters.”
allblackfan
Guest
since the game live is around 6am-7am on a Monday (?!??), your chances of watching it in a bar here live are slim. However, it is on live on free-to-air (SBS shows it) so you will probably have to stock up in your hotel room the night before! The game is replayed delayed at 10pm that same day.
Kelly
Guest
We are two Americans heading into Geelong just before Super bowl... Does anyone know of any bars that show American football? We would really like to watch the game live.
Redb
Guest
Go Cardinals. Redb
Chris
Guest
The Australian Gridiron team “The Outback” has just announced the squad to tour the UK in July this year. The team is made up of players from Qld, NSW, Vic and WA that participated in the National Championships that were held at the Runaway Bay Super Sports Complex in April 2008 and includes NFL punter Sav Rocca! The team is scheduled to face the Great Britain Lions, Irish Allstars and the Sweden national side during the 2 week tour. If you would like more information email: outbackgridiron@gmail.com
Albert Ross
Guest
The internationalisation of the real footie proceeds apace with the NFL tipped to introduce behind posts next fall.
Forgetmenot
Guest
Pauly, 2nd of Feb I think all Geelong fans are followeers of Benny Graham now. Hopefully there is some sort of report on football over there and how Ben Graham used to play and Captain the Cats.
Pauly Walnuts
Guest
So when's the super bowl scheduled for?